rainedaybluz's Xanga

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 23:53:03 GMT

478 - "Whatever I hear You say I'll do" - Tree 63 Over and Over Again

That's a great line. True, whatever God says I'll do. But what happens when he doesn't say anything? That's a question I've been struggling with for a while now. How do I continue a life of worship and dream big beyond the day to day if I can't hear Him? Yeah, there are many responses to this: "you should trust God and just worry about today." "a life of faith is to live everyday trusting in God." "life isn't about working for your salvation, you're already saved" etc etc. Good responses. But I need more. I cannot reconcile this dilemma that easily. I'm sure God has works set out for me to do. I've not yet made a dent in the kingdom here on earth. It's not my time to go. But how do I make the most of my time here? I'm longing for the immensity of the sea, I want to be out there, I want to change the world, to be where the Spirit desires to move. "You're looking so far away that you're missing the here and now." Am I?

“If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea”

I've been thinking about this quote, reflecting on my time here at Michigan, at HMCC, at the business school, in CBI, with my friends . . . There are so many things that need to be done, issues to address out there in the world . . . even little things like fundraisers to run, events to plan, gifts to make. But I've only gathered people and assigned tasks. In my short-term vision, I've failed to share the vision, the awe of the "immensity of the sea."

How did Paul live his life? Apostle Paul. Paul Farmer . . .

faith.

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:10:08 GMT

###.

"Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led - but it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. It is literally a life of FAITH, not of understanding and reason- - a life of KNOWING Him who calls us to go. Faith is rooted in the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in this world. The final stage in the life of faith is the attainment of character and we encounter many changes in the process. We feel momentarily changed. We tend to keep going back to our everyday ways and the glory vanishes. A life of faith is not a life of one glorious mountaintop experience after another, like soaring on eagle's wings, but is a life of day-in day-out consistency; a life of walking without fainting."

Oswald Chambers

silversmith

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:29:49 GMT

476 -- a story I heard:

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it"

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:06:54 GMT

"Christians" - By Maya Angelou

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say. "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace,somehow.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 01:55:11 GMT

475 - satisfaction

So, happy new year ...? Once again, xanga was put on the back burner. Regardless, hello dear friends.

What does it mean to be satisfied? Every time I reach some sort of goal, I just want more. What does it mean to be satisfied in the Lord? Sometimes I feel like I am, but where is the line drawn between "trusting the Lord" and "ignorant denial of reality"?

...hoping to find out soon.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:04:17 GMT

474 - shane & shane

you are my holiday
you make my heart move
and I love you
what it is I'm trying to say: "you are my favorite part of me"

you are my hideaway

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 11:23:53 GMT

473 - funny news story

China to raise fuel supply, hints at price hike
Economic Times - Gurgaon,Haryana,India
SINGAPORE: China will increase fuel supply to ease shortages, particularly of diesel, and sees room for further price rises as domestic rates lag world oil ...

China's calling our name. When can we go?

Happy Gobble Gobble.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 17:01:17 GMT

472 - what can I persuade you of?

If you asked me, "Ruth, what are you passionate about?" I'd like to think that I will be able to give you a decent list of things I care about, and if you pushed me further, I'd be able to give you reasons and facts, and get you interested in it too. Was that too much to assume? maybe.

So I have to make this persuasive presentation for class. Sure, several ideas came to mind, but none were seriously feasible. So, I'm going to present on recycling paper . . . which, honestly, I'm not very passionate about. That makes me wonder.

What are you passionate about? What would you persuade us to do if you were given a five minute platform?

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 12:35:00 GMT

471 - arrival!

so, yeah, it's been a long time since my last entry. and a LOT has happened since then. I don't think one entry can fully describe to you my summer experience, no, not even one part. But here's a short summary of my time in India, and also as a thanks to those who supported my trip through prayer and financially. THANK YOU! and Praise be to God our Father in Heaven. ::

August 2007

Namaste! ('Hello' in Hindi)

Thank you so much for your prayers and support over these past couple of months. I would like to take this time to give you an update on my missions experience in India, from living with the children at the Nav Jeevan center to living at the New Theology College, a seminary school, and also some of my personal convictions.

From the moment we stepped off the plane, the sights, sounds, and even smells of Mumbai overwhelmed our senses. India is a place filled with life: oceans of people, constant current of automobiles, luscious green plants, and harmless stray dogs. We spent the first three days in a small motel, three or four to a room, doing bible studies, praying, and preparing for the month ahead. Everything was quite surreal at this moment—it didn’t quite feel like we were in India yet.

Our first ministry experience was at the heart of the red-light district called Kumathi Puhra (KP) in Mumbai. Our local contact, an Indian missionary, brought us to a children’s day/night care center where they bring in children from the streets and give them a shelter during the day while their parent is at work. Most of the kids are children of prostitutes working in KP. We spent an entire day playing with the children, teaching them songs, and making crafts. We got to see first hand the care that they were able to receive from the teachers there, and also how thankful the parents were to be able to protect their children from the streets outside.

As a larger extension of this day/night center, our team traveled two hours away from Mumbai to a remote village where the Nav Jeevan Center is. (Nav Jeevan means “New Life” in Hindi). Here, close to 300 children (4-18 years old) from nearby villages and from Mumbai live and go to school. Most of them, like the children in KP, are from broken families. Many of their mothers are prostitutes working in KP right now. We integrated ourselves into the lives of these children for 6 days, eating every meal together, sleeping in the same rooms, helping them with homework, and cleaning the house. Our ministry was very much life-on-life, trying to get to know these kid and find out how we can pray for them. Although many are not believers, there are some who have found the light of Christ and have devoted their lives to following Christ as well. Seeing how much these kids embrace life and work together to survive really taught me the value in relying on others and being thankful for everything that I have. Though they have nothing, these children never really asked for anything more than what they had, and they were always so gracious in giving and so grateful in receiving. We were able to run two days of VBS with the younger and older children. We taught them some classic children’s songs such as "Little by Little" and "There Is None Like You", and also performed choreographed dances to worship songs like “If My People Pray” by Avalon and “Potter’s Hand”. Although it was hard physically and spiritually, it was a truly rewarding experience. We really got to see how God is working mightily to bring these children out of the dangerous streets and to give them an education to eventually go back out into the world.

In India alone there are 4,963 unique people groups, each with distinct customs, languages, and gods. Approximately half of these people groups do not have any form of the Bible, either in part or in whole, translated into their language. Northern India has a high concentration of unreached people groups. Luther W. New Jr. Theological College (NTC) is located in Northern India: Dehradun, a city nestled in the valley of the Himalayan foothills. This seminary trains God’s servants in Biblical knowledge and sends their graduates to the ends of the earth to plant churches and start schools, ultimately to make disciples.

Ten years ago in Narendra Nagar, a village 2 hours driving up a foothill mountain, a NTC graduate started an English Medium school—Mount Carmel Christian Academy (MCCA). This area is heavily populated by Hindus and Muslims. Ten years ago there were no Christians in the area, but now through prayer and God’s provisions, there are 30 Christian meeting locations. Each year the school opens a new standard, and this coming school year it is ready to open the 10^th standard. The students are predominantly from Hindu and Muslim families. Due to the hunger locals have for education, God has allowed many doors to open in this area. Even the leaders of BSS and BJP—two Hindu Extreme parties—send their children to study at this Christian academy. Over these few years, hundreds of children have come through this school and many still continuing their education as more options open.

The harvest is plentiful, and the Lord of the Harvest has started to send his workers into the fields. The teachers and staff at MCCA are all graduates of NTC, carrying forth the same vision and commission, to make disciples of all nations. I was blessed to have attended the dedication ceremony for a brand new MCCA school building, which will allow the school to expand even more. God not only mobilizes the nationals to offer up their lives, but He also used the resources from a California church to establish the school.

Missions has become a global effort, each must give according to his ability. Someone once said that there are three types of people, “players, payers, and prayers.” It took all three types of people to produce the fruits that I saw. And this is only the beginning! Praise God!

MCCA is only one example of the many schools that we had the privilege to see on this trip to India. At a couple of the other schools, we were able to engage with the children and do some crafts, games, and songs with them:

Although these kids are mostly Muslim and Hindu in religion, they were all receptive to us praying for them. The truth is, because there are so many gods to worship (in India, there are over 3 million gods), they consider Jesus to be just another god. So what these teachers are trying to teach them is that Jesus is the only God, that he is the God of all gods and Lord of all lords. In India, this could be the biggest challenge, to understand that there is only one God and his name is Jesus.

Visiting these schools and villages were most of our off-campus excursions. We lived on campus for close to three weeks time. There we helped out with everything on campus. We attended morning devotionals six days a week at 5:30am, and chapel at 8. While the students were in class, we helped out at the library, at the publication office, and with the sponsorship brochures. Each day, the students who receive scholarship have clean-up duties, so we joined along, sweeping the floors and pulling weeds. Spending time with the students and faculty was a humbling experience. Many of the faculty, and visiting faculty, are great Bible scholars having published many books and taught at some of the most prestigious seminary schools in America. Yet they were all so humble in sharing their lives with us, opening their homes to us and serving us. The students as well have abandoned everything to pursue after Christ. They are the ones to go against the current and follow wherever God leads them, even to the ends of the earth.

God showed me the global church and the need for believers to encourage and push each other forward. Through this trip, God has showed me the way that He desires me to live: a life of great expectations and great attempts.

A graduate of NTC shared with me his testimony of God’s salvation and redeeming power in his life. He was called out of satan worship and into a life of pastoral ministry and exorcism. After sharing his testimonies of miraculous healings and deliverances testifying to God’s greatness, he turned to me and asked me to share my experiences. Needless to say, his request dumbfounded me, and I sat in silence for a long period of time. I couldn’t give him any good stories, any grand testimonies. In that moment, God showed me how small my faith is, even though I came to personally accept Christ 8 years ago. I have never been one to ask and expect great things.

My initial reaction was one of shame. Even though we worship the same Go my life surely did not testify to that. I wanted to make excuses and give reasons for my simple life. But the Holy Spirit humbled my heart, and then uplifted my spirits. It told me to not be ashamed because God’s love and mercy for a sinner like me alone shows His greatness. When Jesus died, he bore my shame and my sorrows. He no longer holds my past against me, but He will hold me accountable for my future.

Instead of turning away in shame, the Holy Spirit beckoned me to turn to God for his presence in my life and the fulfillment of his promises in my life. I told that brother, who is three years older than me, to give me thre more years. When I am 24, I will testify to God working powerfully in me and through me, to change the world around me. He said, “I can’t wait to hear it.”

Someone once said, “Expect great things from God, and attempt great things for God.” If there is no attempt, then simple expectations will never be met. Praise God for the work that He has done, is doing, and will do.

There is so much that God has shown me and taught me. Two of the most important lessons I have learned are this: 1) God’s heart is to glorify Himself, and that comes through the great commission where Jesus sends us forth to make disciples of all nations. It’s not enough to make believers, but his vision is for us to raise up people who will obey his commands. This naturally extends to the second major lesson I’ve learned, which is the “Obedience of Faith”. Obedience is not something God requires of us in addition to having faith in Him, rather, obedience is the natural outward expression of the faith that we have in Him. How awesome is the God we serve!

Since there is so much to share, yet so limited a space, please ask me questions and I would love to share more with you. Call me, (718 414 4988); Email me: Ruthgao7@gmail.com; or write me: 410 Observatory St. Apt #3, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Below, I included some more pictures with captions to share just a little bit more of my experience. Once again, thank you so much for your support! Please do keep India in your prayers, as well as my family and I. God Bless!!

Some NTC graduates have a ministry with the Snake Charmers in a small part of Pathri, and we were fortunate enough to visit this village where we got to see a couple of king cobras and pythons. Scary!

We also visited the famous Ganges River, which is the most sacred river to the Hindu faith. At Haridwar, a famous pilgrimage sight stands the enormous statue of the god of destruction and provision, Shiva. It was a tremendous sight to see: the people bathing in the Ganges, and even the pilgrims who travel on foot to the source of the Ganges, hundreds of kilometers away in the Himalaya Mountains

We were definitely more than blessed to see the top man-made wonder of the world, the Taj Mahal!

Praise God for all these wonderful experiences! We truly witness the splendor of our King!

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 06:29:33 GMT

470 - departure

so, i don't have much time. I've been packing through the night and now, it's finally morning. Today, my team from Ann Arbor will be driving down to Chicago to begin our intensive training - 1.5 weeks of dawn-midnight spent in prayer, preparation, and perseverance. I think "perseverance" has become one of my favorite words, but something not to be overused or looked upon lightly. This whole year has been, to some extent, a call to persevere and I've yet to live up to that challenge. But, it's not too late to start!

Once we begin intensive, all private/personal communication with you (my friends) will be lost until we return in early August. I will be leaving for India on July 3rd, and returning on August 2nd. Please keep me in your prayers, that God will move through our team in a mighty way.

I don't know what exactly I am feeling right at this moment. I'm tired, but I can keep going because God is my strength. I am weary, but God is my rest. I am anxious, but God is my peace.

I genuinely look forward to the day I return and when I can share my experiences with you. Thank you for supporting me, financially and in prayer.

See you soon!